Wasn’t quite sure what to expect at this race. I’ve been putting some decent miles in over the last few months, but nothing really hard and sustained. Basically, the race started and I found myself running with Jen Hughes. We ran the first 10 miles together, and it was a big help. Pretty early on we settled into a good rhythm and we would slowly gain and pass a few people. There was a bigger group of about 6-7 that was about 20-30 seconds ahead and they slowly pulled further ahead of us throughout the race. I felt really good on the downhill and struggled on the uphill. As we came out of the canyon I held on pretty good until just after Will’s Pitstop and before the little climb by the golf course. Stomach was bothering me and so I stopped at the Porto-john. Probably lost about 1:30 on that mile and pretty much just lost all my rhythm after that.

Overall, I ran a really good 9.5 miles and then gave in a bit. Jen finished at 1:21:38. Don’t know if I could have stayed with her the whole way, but I wish I would have felt good enough to try. An okay race for me.